And the king made Dan-i-el a great man, and gave him rich gifts, and put him at the head of all the wise men in the land.
Now king Neb-u-chad-nez-zar made a great god out of gold, and set it on one of the plains of Bab-y-lon.
NEB-U-CHAD-NEZ-ZAR'S DREAM.
And one of the king's men cried out with a loud voice, and said it was the king's law that all should bow down to the god of gold that he had set up. And those who did not bow down were to be thrown in-to a great hot fire and burnt up.
And some men brought word to the king that the three Jews would not serve his gods, or bow down to this one of gold which he had set up.
These three men were brought to the king, and he said to them, Is it true, O Sha-drach, Me-shach, and A-bed-ne-go that ye will not serve my gods or bow down to the one of gold which I have set up? And he said he would give them one more chance, and if they did not bow down when they heard the call, they should be cast in the same hour in-to the flames. The three Jews said to the king, Be it known to thee now that we will not serve thy gods, nor bow down to the new one thou hast set up. And if we are cast in the fire, the God whom we serve will save us from death and bring us out of thy hands, O king.
Then was the king in a great rage, and he sent word that a fierce fire should be made. And the three Jews were bound and thrown in-to the flames with all their clothes on. And the fire was so hot and they went so near that sparks flew out and killed the men who took up Sha-drach, Me-shach and A-bed-ne-go.
These three Jews fell down in the midst of the flames, but soon rose to their feet, and the Lord would not let the flames burn them.